Reba McEntire, the beloved music artist and actress, has captured the hearts of fans with her genuine and friendly demeanor. But did you know that this down-to-earth attitude stems from her country roots?
Growing up on a family ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma, Reba was immersed in the country lifestyle from a young age. When she wasn’t in school, she could be found playing in a family band or helping out with the cattle. With a father and grandfather who were decorated rodeo champs, Reba herself became an avid barrel racer. Her country upbringing instilled in her certain values that she still carries with her today.
“Mama and Daddy always said to me, ‘If you tell somebody you’re going to be somewhere at a certain time, you show up,’” Reba shared. “That’s the way I was raised.”
In 1990, Reba’s fame was soaring, and she had just become a first-time mother to her son, Shelby. She knew that despite being a celebrity mom, she had to raise him with care and instill the right values in him.
Reba made some tough decisions in her parenting journey but always stuck to her beliefs. “When we would play games or cards, I’d never let Shelby win,” she admitted. “He wouldn’t have learned anything that way. I always told Shelby, ‘I’ll always love you, but I want other people to like you. So don’t be a little jerk. Don’t be a spoiled brat.’”
Together with her ex-husband, Narvel Blackstock, Reba put in an effort to teach Shelby to respect others and recognize that he was no better than his peers. And their efforts paid off. “A lot of people have told me you would never know [he] had been blessed with the life he was given,” Reba proudly shared.
Reba also admitted that having a son changed her perspective and made her less selfish. She made it a priority to spend as much time as possible with Shelby, even taking him on the road with her when she couldn’t be home. “I wanted to be with Shelby. Still do,” she affectionately said.
The country star has also been open about Shelby’s ADHD. While he struggled with reading at a young age, he now reads avidly in his 30s. “He’s always trying to improve and do better,” Reba remarked. “Shelby is a gift from God to me. We’re very close.”
Reba couldn’t be prouder of her son, especially when he recently tied the knot with his wife Marissa in a fairytale-like wedding at Walt Disney World. Their special day was nothing short of magical.
Reba’s parenting style reflects her genuine and nurturing nature, and it’s clear that she has done an exceptional job raising her son. What do you think about Reba’s approach to parenting? Let us know in the comments below.
